Experimental justification of energy-saving operating modes of the combined unit AKK-6 in the forest-steppe zone of the Central Chernozem Region

Improving the energy efficiency of pre-sowing tillage has become an urgent priority in the context of rising input costs. The study aimed to experimentally determine the optimal operating parameters (depth and speed) of the combined AKK-6 tillage implement to achieve maximum crop yield with minimal energy consumption. The AKK-6 combined tillage and seeding implement integrates tines, disk batteries, and a ring spur roller. Field trials were conducted in 2025 in a forest-steppe zone on typical chernozem soil. A two-factor experimental design examined tillage depths of 20 and 25 cm and operating speeds of 8 and 10 km/h. Draft resistance was measured using a dynamometric hitch, fuel consumption was recorded with a Technoton on-board system, and the yield of Darja spring wheat was determined by direct combine harvesting. Tillage quality was assessed based on cloddiness, surface evenness, yield, and agrophysical properties. Statistical data processing was performed using Microsoft Excel and Python (SciPy and statsmodels libraries). The results showed that increasing tillage depth from 20 to 25 cm raised draft resistance by approximately 27% and fuel consumption by about 19%. Increasing operating speed from 8 to 10 km/h reduced specific fuel consumption by 7-9%; however, tillage quality deteriorated: cloddiness increased by 1.0-1.5 points, and surface evenness decreased by a factor of 1.5-1.7. The maximum yield of 44.2 dt/ha was achieved at a tillage depth of 25 cm and an operating speed of 8 km/h, which is 5.2% higher than the control treatment (20 cm and 8 km/h, respectively). Analysis of variance confirmed the highly significant effect of the tillage mode on the yield (F = 103.71; p < 0.001). To reduce energy intensity and increase spring wheat productivity on typical chernozem soils, the AKK-6 combined implement is recommended for pre-sowing tillage at a depth of 24-26 cm and a speed of 8-9 km/h.

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